The Importance of Good Footwork

By Tom Sadler

Coach Sadler shares his thoughts on how footwork underpins player development...

Having good footwork is critical to maximise your game and development as a basketball player. Your footwork will allow you to create both passing and scoring angles even after you have picked up your dribble.

Footwork is especially important for younger players and needs to be constantly worked on either off the catch or on the pick-up of the dribble.

The two following types of foot work techniques are time-tested and essential to enhancing player development:

• Jump stop. This is one of the most basic yet most useful types of footwork. The jump stop is an efficient technique used to transition from moving in any direction into stopping quickly. A player needs to make sure to perform the jump stop with both feet hitting the floor putting themselves in to an attacking athletic stance. This will also allow you to attack from either foot, as well as being able to select which pivot foot to use.
• Pivot. Being able to pivot effectively will allow players to gain a positional advantage. Practicing pivoting is not easy, it’s hard and sometimes very monotonous work. Everyone wants to practice shooting or just go out and play games. However, learning, practicing and utilising proper footwork can change a player's game for the better and separate them from everyone else.

Most top coaches understand that the best players in the history of basketball have all utilized proper footwork to gain an edge over opponents. You should be no different!